Soft power: “the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than coercion or payments. It arises from the attractiveness of a country’s culture, political ideals and policies. When our policies are seen as legitimate in the eyes of others, our soft power is enhanced.”

The right book at the right time, Soft Power offered an alternative to the Bush doctrine of shooting first (a.k.a, pre-emptive intervention). It also offered coherent, reasoned argument to back up every US leftist’s gut feeling that having the rest of the world hate us was a bad idea. While the US is top dog in terms of military power, says Joseph Nye, it needs soft power – popularity, legitimacy – to succeed in the chaotic world of transnational terror networks and global organized crime. It’s a good book though short on prescriptions. How to maximize soft power, with so many cultural aspects, isn’t easy to say. Censor Hollywood -- or elect Arnold president?